Keystone pipeline pushed to forefront

“We want our children to live in an America that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet,” Mr. Obama said.

He also declared that freeing the nation from its reliance on foreign oil would be a top priority of his second term.

Political leaders on the world stage and in the U.S. appear eager to see Mr. Obama take action to address climate change.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Mr. Obama on his victory and said he looks forward “to promoting sustainable development and tackling the challenges posed by climate change.” New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg sounded a similar note in the days before the vote, endorsing Mr. Obama as a president “to lead on climate change.”